4-year-old killed by SUV after mom pulls off road in Deerfield

Saturday

A 4-year-old boy was killed early Saturday afternoon on U.S. Route 224 just east of Deerfield Circle, according the Ravenna Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Melinda Ohler, 26, of Garfield Heights, parked her vehicle on the side of U.S. 224 and was outside the vehicle with the 4-year-old, according to a news release from the Highway Patrol. The boy got onto the roadway and was hit by a passing 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer at about 12:24 p.m. Saturday.

The child was transported to University Hospitals Portage Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.

Edward Kufleitner, 71, of Columbiana County, was driving the 2005 Trailblazer. Kufleitner was not injured in the crash and remained at the scene during the investigation. Route 224 was closed after the crash for about two hours between Deerfield Circle and Bonner Road, Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Evan Mace said.

“It doesn’t appear at this point that there were any contributing circumstances on the part of the driver,” said Mace. “That’s still pending.”

Mace said the Ohio State Highway Patrol will have more information about the exact speed Kufleitner was driving in the coming days as the investigation continues. He said the prosecutor’s office was notified of the case and would review whether any charges should be filed against either party.

The Deerfield Fire Department, Ohio Department of Transportation and the Portage County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the crash scene.

Reporter Bob Gaetjens can be reached at 330-541-9440, bgaetjens@recordpub.com or @bobgaetjens_rpc.

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